Rita Mae Willis

LOREAUVILLE — A Celebration of Life will be held for Mrs. Rita Mae Willis, the former Rita Mae Polk, 89, at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church #1 in Loreauville, with Rev. Carl F. Lewis Sr., Pastor officiating.

Rita Mae’s earthly vessel will be laid to rest in Beau Pre Memorial Park Mausoleum 7605 East Old Spanish Trail, Jeanerette, LA 70544. 

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Saturday at Fletcher Funeral Home and resume at the church on Saturday 11 a.m. until time of service. 

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

Psalm 34: 1-3

Rita Mae “Lett” Polk Willis, the daughter of the late Frank Polk Sr. and Rhea Mitchell Polk and Rev. Branch Polk and Marie Z. Polk, was born in New Iberia, on August 8, 1928. She departed her earthly life at 9:38 a.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Iberia Medical Center at the age of 89.

She gave her love to Palfrey Nolan Willis in 1970 and this union was blessed with one daughter Paulette Nicole Willis.

Sister Willis accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age, baptized by Rev. Branch Polk and has been a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church #1 of Loreauville. She served diligently in several ministries including the Mt. Zion Senior Choir, the Deaconess Board, the Women’s Ministry where she served as secretary, Vacation Bible School Instructor, and the Pastor’s Aide Ministry. She loved Pastor Lewis and did all she could to show her love and support, following him in and out of state as he shared the Word of God.

She was also a faithful member of the National Association of University Women (NAUW) and the beloved True Friend Benevolent Society. At the time of her passing, she was actively organizing the church library and passionately breathing life into the educational development of our youth.

Rita was educated at Iberia Parish Training School (IPTS) graduating from grade eleven. In 1955, she graduated from Grambling College (currently Grambling State University) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She continued her education at Southern University A&M earning a Masters of Education in Elementary Education in 1960. She did further studies at the University of California in Los Angeles.

She was a lover of children and avidly worked toward helping them fulfill their potential. Her educational career spanned two parishes and several schools. In Iberia Parish, she taught at Weeks Island Elementary, J. B. Livingston Elementary, and North Lewis Elementary. In St. Mary Parish, she taught at Centerville Elementary School.

Rita P. Willis was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters Edith P. Henry, Nita P. DeMoss, Frankie P. Singleton, and Geraldine P. Moore; one “special” brother Matthew B. Polk (and wife, Edith B. Polk); one “adopted” brother Clevon Self; seven brothers-in-law Alvey J. Henry Sr., Calvin Reynolds, Roger Singleton, Raymond Bryant, Albert J. Moore Sr, Reggie Willis and Spencer Willis (and wife, Violet Kelley Willis); two beloved nieces Dr. Monica Mouton Sanders and Audrelle Polk; and one nephew Alvey J. Henry Jr.

She leaves cherished memories to her daughter Dr. Paulette Nicole Willis (Dr. Ricky J. L. Haywood-Watson II). She is also survived by three sisters Joyce P. Frazier (Lloyd) of Los Angeles, California, Gloria P. Bryant, Earline P. Mouton (Curley); one brother Frank Polk Jr. (Beverly) of New Iberia; one brother-in-law Curtis J. Willis Sr. (Christine); one sister-in-law Betty Nathan Willis, of Franklin; a host of nieces and nephews who loved her as a mother figure and affectionately called her “Aunt Tee.” She also leaves many relatives and friends to remember her beautiful life.

Aunt Tee loved the Lord and considered herself a “Redeemed Child of God!” Her most enjoyable time was with family celebrating various milestones of life, providing them with her special culinary delights: rice dressing, crawfish fettuccine, coconut cake (from scratch), and Cherry Jubilee, to the pleasure of both young and old. Everyone will particularly miss our Easter Celebration which was always at her house culminating with the “famous” Easter Egg Hunt!

Active Pallbearers are Curtis J. Willis Jr., Shawn J. Mouton, Brandon J. Mouton, Devon J. Moore, Dr. Ricky J. L. Haywood-Watson II, Alex T. Cleveland, Albert J. Moore Jr. and Travis R. Bryant.

Honorary Pallbearers are Rev. Carl Fitzgerald Lewis Sr., J. Curley Mouton, Frank Polk Jr., Curtis J. Willis Sr., Dr. David Jones, Lloyd Frazier,  Russell Johnson, Corteze Bryant, Alfred DePass, Gary Broussard, Dr. Joe Omojola and Mt. Zion Baptist Church #1 Women’s Ministry.

Our family is deeply grateful and has been comforted by all acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy. Your prayers have strengthened and encouraged us during this time of bereavement. May God Richly Bless You All!

Special Thanks To: Dr. Vina Baker, Dr. Mark McInnis, Iberia Medical Center Staff and Mt. Zion Baptist Church #1 Family.

Family Fellowship/Repast: RAMADA & Convention Center 2915 Highway 14,   New Iberia, Louisiana 70560

“To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; …”

Ephesians 1:6-7

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.fletcherfuneralhomes.org

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Home (369-3341) 609 W. Admiral Doyle Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560.